Hearing loss is a neglected hazard for miners in South Africa
By Nomfundo Moroe - The Conversation LISTEN
The issue of occupational noise-induced hearing loss is prominent in the mining industry. - Source: Shutterstock
South Africa s mining industry has long been an important part of the country s economy.
In 2020 alone, despite COVID-19, mining contributed R361.6 billion (almost 20 billion US dollars) towards South Africa s gross domestic product, a share of over 8% . The industry employs 451,000 people.
But despite its value and the regulations in place to protect workers, it has been criticised for a poor record of health and safety .
The South African constitution guarantees workers right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or wellbeing. Employers must provide a reasonably practicable working environment that is safe and without risk to the health of employees.
Proposed new royalty unsettles miners in Chile
Image courtesy of Codelco.
The return of high copper prices has come in the nick of time for Chile, but as the price for the red metal rallies, politicians believe the mining industry could be contributing significantly more to help the country through the covid-19 pandemic.
Long-viewed as the most stable destination for foreign investment in South America, Chile’s increasingly fraught political scene is increasing risks for the country’s powerful mining industry.
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The Finance Ministry estimates that the rise in copper prices since the start of the year could bolster public revenues by around $4 billion or 5.6% compared to its previous estimate, giving the government more wriggle room as it strives to protect families and businesses from a deadly wave of infections.
Proposed new royalty unsettles miners in Chile - The Northern Miner northernminer.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from northernminer.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
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TORONTO (Reuters) - A First Nation group in Canada’s British Columbia province has put top gold miner Newmont Corp on notice that it is unlikely to gain buy-in for a gold and copper project, amid concern that mining will encroach on a local town.
A mineral exploration camp is seen on Tahltan Territory in British Columbia, Canada, in this 2019 handout photo. Adam Amir/Handout via REUTERS
The pushback by the Tahltan First Nation carries extra weight due to the group’s outsized influence in its territory, in contrast to similar groups who oppose mining elsewhere.
That authority may complicate efforts by U.S.-based Newmont to develop its early-stage Tatogga project, acquired in March in a $311 million buyout of GT Gold.
Canadian First Nation, with rare sway over mining, puts Newmont on notice reuters.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from reuters.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.